u/Left-Storm-1021

Should I prepare for NET if I am not sure that PhD is something I want to do in future.

I am in 2nd year Master’s student

I'm currently doing my MSc in Biosciences and I'm honestly very confused about what I should do after graduating.

For the longest time, I've been telling myself that I should probably get a job first, maybe work as a project associate/research assistant for a year, gain some experience, and then think about a PhD. Part of me feels like going directly from MSc → PhD might be rushing things.

But the problem is... I really want to do a PhD. 😭

I genuinely enjoy research. I like molecular biology, cancer research, computational biology, nanomedicine, reading papers, trying to understand mechanisms, etc. During my internship and MSc research, I've realized that I actually like the process of investigating a question rather than just studying something for an exam.

At the same time, I'm scared of romanticizing the idea of a PhD.

I know a PhD isn't just "becoming a scientist." It's years of experiments failing, questionable results, dealing with supervisors, writing papers, uncertainty, and probably questioning my life choices at 2 AM. 😭

There's another thing I'm really confused about: does a PhD actually give you career stability in life sciences?

I'm not expecting a PhD to magically make me rich, but I do want a reasonably stable career and financial independence eventually. I've heard completely different opinions — some people say a PhD is basically necessary for research/R&D and opens doors that an MSc can't, while others say you can spend 5+ years doing a PhD and still struggle to find a permanent position afterward.

My long-term goal is to work in research, potentially in industry/R&D. So I'm wondering whether a PhD is actually a good investment for that goal, especially if I do it abroad and it's fully funded.

I also don't want to do a PhD simply because I'm scared of entering the job market or because I feel behind compared with my peers.

So I'm currently considering:

1. MSc → directly apply for funded PhDs abroad

or

2. MSc → work as a project associate/research assistant for 1–2 years → then apply for PhDs

Does working beforehand actually make a significant difference to PhD applications, or is it unnecessary if I already have research experience through my MSc/internships?

And more importantly:

For those who have actually done a PhD in life sciences — did it improve your career stability and opportunities, or did it just postpone the uncertainty?

I'd especially appreciate perspectives from people who went MSc → PhD directly and people who worked for a couple of years first.

I don't want someone to simply tell me "follow your passion." 😭 I want the honest version — if you were in my position, would you do the PhD immediately, work first, or reconsider the PhD altogether?

My boyfriend and I have had a very rough few months. He breached my trust once (nothing physical/sexual), and since then we've had a lot of arguments, tried no-contact multiple times, and kept coming back to each other. I don't think I ever really got the chance to process everything because we'd always reconnect before I could figure out how I actually felt.

Recently, we decided to slow down and give the relationship another chance. He has genuinely been putting in a lot of effort. He's more patient during arguments, trying to communicate better, being more honest, and including me more. I can see that he's changed, which makes my feelings even more confusing because sometimes I still feel like I'm not emotionally "there" anymore.

He also thinks I get upset very easily and that I'm probably quite sensitive. I do wonder if that's true because lately I find myself getting hurt by things he says.

So I asked him for a two-day break to think. I genuinely thought I needed some space because I don't want to keep reacting emotionally and hurting both of us when I don't even know what I want. He responded yes and then blocked me everywhere.

Now I'm absolutely heartbroken. I miss him terribly.

I don't know if I'm genuinely losing feelings for him, or if I'm emotionally exhausted and still hurt from everything that happened. I can see that he's trying and has changed, but I also don't know if love is enough after so much hurt and uncertainty.

Has anyone here ever experienced such emotional turmoil ever?

My hair are naturally thin but so far i wasn’t experiencing shedding. However I am having hairfall since past 3 weeks after changing city due to college. I am overwhelmed due to a lot of available products online and confused as to which one should i buy?

Any suggestions would be helpful

I am thinking of ordering berberin. Is it really good? Which brand is usually considered effective? Can i take it without doctor's prescription?

Is dermat in campus hospital good? I am experiencing hairfall after joining this semester. Anyone who has visited the doctor here at campus for the same issue

Okay so I’ve been thinking about getting professional help for my anxiety but I’m honestly really conflicted about it.

I’ve been struggling with anxiety/overthinking and feeling emotionally overwhelmed for quite some time. It’s not even one specific thing. It’s like social anxiety, relationship stuff, academics, big life changes, constantly worrying about things, feeling like people don’t like me/are ignoring me, etc. And sometimes I feel like my brain just DOES NOT shut up 😭

I mentioned therapy to some of my friends and they basically told me that I’m not weak and that I should “fight back” and deal with things myself.

And I know they mean well, but now I’m wondering if they’re right.

Like… does going to therapy mean I’m not strong enough to handle my own problems?

I’m also genuinely scared of becoming dependent on therapy. What if I start relying on a therapist every time something goes wrong instead of learning how to deal with things myself? I don't want someone to constantly tell me what to do. I actually WANT to become better at handling things on my own.

At the same time, I’m tired of constantly trying to figure everything out by myself 😭. And I’m starting to wonder if “just fight through it” isn’t really working for me.

So I’m confused.

Also, should I see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? I don't really understand which one would be more appropriate for what I’m experiencing. Should I start with a psychologist and see what they say? Or is it better to see a psychiatrist first?

For people who have actually gone through therapy for anxiety:

Did therapy make you more independent or did you feel dependent on it?

And how did you get over the feeling that asking for help meant you were weak?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually experienced this because right now I’m just going in circles in my head 😭

VK or Kb, which one is better in terms of hygiene, food, cleanliness, gym and rooms for girls?

I'm going back to my college tomorrow, and my anxiety is through the roof. I am a master's student.

For some context, my college is in a different state from my hometown, so I've always had to live away from home. I've spent quite a bit of time on this campus, but I've never really felt like I fit in.

The confusing part is that I recently spent two months in another state for a summer internship, and I didn't feel this way there. I was away from home there too, but I felt much more comfortable, relaxed, and like myself. So I don't think it's simply homesickness or being away from my family.

Whenever I'm back on my college campus, I feel... invisible. I have classmates and acquaintances, but when I'm sitting in class, it's like I'm not even there. Everyone seems to be talking to each other while I just exist in the background. No one really looks my way or starts a conversation, and after a while I stop trying because I feel like I'm forcing myself into spaces where I don't belong.

It's not that I think people hate me. It's more that I constantly feel like I don't belong there. I become hyper-aware of everything—how I speak, how I act, even how I walk. It makes me anxious enough that I dread going back.

Sometimes I wonder if it's just my anxiety, if I somehow haven't found the right people, or if it's simply that I don't connect with the culture or social dynamics on my campus. I honestly don't know.

Has anyone else experienced something like this, where one place makes you feel like an outsider, but another place feels completely different? Did things ever get better, or did you eventually realize the environment just wasn't the right fit for you?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've gone through something similar because it feels incredibly isolating.

I'm going back to my college tomorrow, and my anxiety is through the roof.

For some context, my college is in a different state from my hometown, so I've always had to live away from home. I've spent quite a bit of time on this campus, but I've never really felt like I fit in.

The confusing part is that I recently spent two months in another state for a summer internship, and I didn't feel this way there. I was away from home there too, but I felt much more comfortable, relaxed, and like myself. So I don't think it's simply homesickness or being away from my family.

Whenever I'm back on my college campus, I feel... invisible. I have classmates and acquaintances, but when I'm sitting in class, it's like I'm not even there. Everyone seems to be talking to each other while I just exist in the background. No one really looks my way or starts a conversation, and after a while I stop trying because I feel like I'm forcing myself into spaces where I don't belong.

It's not that I think people hate me. It's more that I constantly feel like I don't belong there. I become hyper-aware of everything—how I speak, how I act, even how I walk. It makes me anxious enough that I dread going back.

Sometimes I wonder if it's just my anxiety, if I somehow haven't found the right people, or if it's simply that I don't connect with the culture or social dynamics on my campus. I honestly don't know.

Has anyone else experienced something like this, where one place makes you feel like an outsider, but another place feels completely different? Did things ever get better, or did you eventually realize the environment just wasn't the right fit for you?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've gone through something similar because it feels incredibly isolating.

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Hi everyone!

I'm currently pursuing my MSc in Biosciences and I'm planning to start preparing seriously for the CSIR UGC NET Life Sciences exam. I have my class notes, but I'm honestly a bit confused about how people structure their preparation.

I wanted to ask those who have qualified NET/JRF (or are currently preparing):

- How did you plan your study schedule?

- Did you study subject-wise first or solve PYQs alongside?

- Which books or resources did you find the most helpful?

- How important are coaching institutes compared to self-study?

- How many months of preparation did you need?

- How did you revise such a vast syllabus without forgetting everything?

- What was your strategy for Parts A, B, and C?

- Any common mistakes you made that you wish you had avoided?

I'd also appreciate any tips on maintaining consistency without burning out, especially while balancing MSc coursework.

Any advice, study plans, resource recommendations, or personal experiences would be really helpful.

Thank you!

I feel heavy and empty at the same time. It wasn’t a bad breakup and we didn't end on bad terms. My heart is shattered. He used to get me so well. Our sense of humor was same, he understood me.

I will feel so lonely without him